Westport High uniforms to be replaced

Students and other school officials say some of the uniforms worn by town athletes and cheerleaders have that “well-worn” look. But there’s a plan, thanks to Westport High School Athletic Director Jason Pacheco, who told the School Committee that he has finalized a replacement schedule.

Students and other school officials say some of the uniforms worn by town athletes and cheerleaders have that “well-worn” look.

But there’s a plan, thanks to Westport High School Athletic Director Jason Pacheco, who told the School Committee that he has finalized a replacement schedule.

“There were questions about the uniform needing replacement,” Pacheco said.

Pacheco said athletes and the parents of athletes had expressed dismay at the condition of some uniforms worn by players.

Pacheco said some athletes were wearing uniforms that are seven or eight years old.

Financial belt-tightening in the school department means that uniforms cannot be replaced all at once and, in a meeting two months ago, Pacheco had been given the green light by the School Committee to find a way to replace the uniforms on a more gradual schedule.

“This goes by the year they were last replaced and the condition they’re in,” Pacheco told the School Committee, as he presented his list.

“I went with a five-year plan whereby all uniforms will be replaced in five years.”

Pacheco’s plan begins with replacing cheerleading uniforms in the fall.

Boys soccer, field hockey and golf uniforms will be ordered in 2014 for use that year.

In 2015, boys baseball varsity and junior varsity uniforms will be ordered, as will girls softball uniforms, both for use beginning in 2016.

In 2016, volleyball, boys tennis and girls tennis uniforms will be ordered for use beginning in 2017.

In 2017, uniforms for boys varsity and junior basketball will be ordered for use that year.

In 2018, Pacheco will order boys freshman basketball uniforms, and girls basketball uniforms will be ordered in the fall of 2019.